Watch 2010-09-18 Shane Mosley vs Sergio Mora

HBO PPV - September 18, 2010

CompuBox Factors

For Shane Mosley, the Staples Center has been his Field of Dreams as he scored career-defining wins over Oscar de la Hoya in June 2000 and Antonio Margarito in January 2009.

Just four months after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr., the 39-year-old Mosley seeks another dose of Staples magic against Sergio Mora, a "Latin Snake" who is three inches taller, 10 years younger and eager to sink his fangs into another high-profile hide. Mosley is a 3-1 favorite.

Who will win this crossroads encounter? Their CompuBox histories offer clues on their objectives.

Mora must borrow a common rival's playbook - Sporting a six-foot frame and a 73-inch reach, Mora boasts the exact dimensions of Vernon Forrest, who not only split two fights with Mora but also went 2-for-2 against Mosley. Forrest used his length and underrated power to curb Mosley's output.

The rematch saw plenty of grappling, but while Mosley's power accuracy improved (48 percent) his output plummeted (21.6 per round). While the totals were close for Forrest (120-114 total connects, 35-34 jab connects and 85-60 power connects), the decisive statistic was Forrest's 456-259 gulf in output. Activity - effective or not - usually sways judges.

Mosley must force the pace and make his power count - When Mosley sets the tempo, the numbers usually follow.

Against Margarito Mosley sliced inside his rival's reach and whaled away. Mosley landed 49 percent of 240 power punches while limiting Margarito's vaunted output to 54 per round and 26 percent power precision. Mosley's inspired assault forced Margarito to bend to his will.

This strategy was effective for Forrest in his rematch with Mora, the "Latin Snake's" only defeat. Averaging 52.8 punches per round (up from 46 in fight one), Forrest limited Mora's output to 39.8 (down from 49.2) and his power accuracy to 19 percent (from 42.7) while landing 41.7 percent of his own power punches.

Mosley's success is dependent on his power punching. While the athletically awkward Ricardo Mayorga frustrated Mosley - Mosley averaged just 33.1 punches per round - he couldn't stem Mosley's power flow as he landed 46.3 percent to Mayorga's 15.9. The result: KO 12 Mosley.

In Mosley's 24 CompuBox-tracked wins, he averaged 41.5 percent of 52.4 punches and landed 53.5 percent of his 27.4 power shots. In five losses, those figures were 26.5 percent of 39.5 punches and 33.2 percent of his 20.5 power shots - a marked drop-off.

The equation is simple. Mora will win if he can control distance and limit Mosley's offense. Mosley will prevail if he attacks early and rides a wave of momentum.

The Weight of Weight: In 14 welterweight fights Mosley landed 37 percent of his total punches while opponents connected on 27 percent. In seven 154-pound fights, Mosley's accuracy dropped to 30 percent while his foes' overall success rose to 31 percent. The power numbers show a similar pattern as Mosley landed 49 percent at 147 to 40 percent at 154 while his foes' success rose from 32 to 34 percent.

Dropping weight has affected Mora's performance. In two fights at 154, Mora threw 44.5 punches, landed 33.2 percent of his power shots and tasted 37.8 percent of his opponents' power punches. At a more comfortable 160, Mora threw 22 percent more punches (56.7), landed 28 percent more power shots (45.6 percent) and fielded eight percent fewer power punches (31 percent) in six fights. Yes, Forrest was a world-class junior middleweight but comfort breeds success and Mora won't be his full self at 154.Prediction: This will be tougher than many think. Mora hungers for another big win while Mosley is in a win-or-else scenario. The Staples Magic will help Mosley again as he guts out a decision win.

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Watch 2010-09-18 Shane Mosley vs Sergio Mora

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